[The X-37B] program provides a test capability that was difficult to achieve through other means, the ability to examine how highly complex technologies will perform in space before they are made operational. But right now our focus is on the X-37B itself, and this second flight is important to our further understanding of its capabilities. — Stellvertretender Untersekretär des Weltraumprogramms der US Air Force, Richard McKinney zitiert in Eric Brian, “Air Force technicians launch second unmanned spacecraft“, US Air Force, 05.03.2011.

We could have an X-37 sitting at Vandenberg or at the Cape, and on comparatively short notice, depending on warfighter requirements, we could put a specific payload into the payload bay, launch it up on an Atlas or Delta, and then have it stay in orbit, do the job for the combatant commander, and come back home. And then the next flight, we could have a different payload inside, maybe even for a different combatant commander. — Stellvertretender Untersekretär des Weltraumprogramms der US Air Force, Gary Payton, zitiert in Stephen Clark, “Air Force spaceplane is an odd bird with a twisted past“, Spaceflight now, 02.04.2010.

Twitter: @offiziere

Piece from @offiziere: #Poland wants in on the new Franco/German #tank that will replace the Leopard 2 & Leclerc in 2030s. But political & industrial concerns alike make an invitation to Warsaw a long shot.